LEGENDARY TRAINER Eddie Futch has called Charley Burley the greatest all-around fighter he ever saw. It is quite a compliment considering Futch's vast experience. But perhaps the saddest part of Burley's career is that he never fought for a world title.

Although Burley was rated as a welterweight or middleweight during an eight-year span, he never earned a title fight.

Burley established himself as a contender when he decisioned future middleweight champ Billy Soose. He then split a pair of fights with future 147-pound champ Fritzie Zivic.

In 1942, Burley lost two decisions to Ezzard Charles within 35 days. But between those contests, he knocked out middleweight contender Holman Williams. But Burley's finest moment in boxing may have been in 1944 when he won a 10-round decision over Archie Moore.